Always good to hear from another woman who has taken up going up!
And I congratulate you on having a go in a glider; in Canada, I believe, they have the same ethos for a gliding group as in the UK, namely, more likely a club than a private enterprise, which is usual for the States. I'm sure you can google the Canadian gliding national organisation to let you know what is near to your home....
That what updrafts are for!
Happy landings....
Mary